Buddha and His Dhamma WH433-34

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Two lectures on Buddhism by Bhikkhu Bodhi. The first part explores the Buddha s mission, the second his doctrine and path.

Excerpt from the introduction That the Buddha s teaching should remain perennially relevant throughout the changing eras of human history, that his message should be undimmed by the sheer passage of time, is already implicit in the title by which he is most commonly known. For the word Buddha, as is widely known, is not a proper name but an honorific title meaning the Enlightened One, the Awakened One. This title is given to him because he has woken up from the deep sleep of ignorance in which the rest of the world is absorbed; because he has penetrated the deepest truths about the human condition; and because he proclaims those truths with the aim of awakening others and enabling them to share his realization. Despite the shifting scenarios of history over twenty-five centuries, despite the change in world views and modes of thought from one epoch to the next, the basic truths of human life do not change. They remain constant, and are recognizable to those mature enough to reflect on them and intelligent enough to understand them. For this reason, even today in our age of jet travel, computer technology, and genetic engineering, it is perfectly fitting that the One who has Awakened should speak to us in words that are just as powerful, just as cogent, just as illuminating as they were when they were first proclaimed long ago in the towns and villages of Northeast India.

When passing through Sri Lanka recently I visited the BPS bookstore and saw this booklet. It is a little gem.
The booklet of 43 pages consists of two lectures give by the scholarly monk, Bhikkhu Bodhi, to an audience with little prior knowledge of the Buddha or Buddhism. The Description given above with the "Excerpt from the Introduction" gives an excellent overview of the lecture: The Buddha and His Mission.
The second lecture, The Buddha's Dhamma, discusses the Doctrine and the Path. The Doctrine is the philosophical overview that focuses on an understanding of the Four Noble Truths. The Path is the practice, the practical application of the Four Noble Truths using the Noble Eightfold Path to come out of suffering.
This booklet is not only a succinct introduction for understanding the Buddha, the Doctrine, and the Path, it is also useful as a reminder of details for those who know the Buddha's teachings through Dhamma readings or by walking the Path.
The end of the lecture emphasizes that developing a Buddha Dhamma practice is not just for monks and nuns. The practice integrates spiritual development into the affairs of everyday life that will bring to society more harmony, peace, and good will.